Labour leader Keir Starmer is facing legal action over his controversial statements which appear to express support for Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
Fahima Mohamed, a British Muslim TV broadcaster, has taken steps towards formally challenging the likely next Prime Minister.
A notice of referral to prosecute letter by Cloude Law Solicitors was published on social media, informing the Labour leader of an investigation regarding his alleged involvement in “aiding, abetting or otherwise assisting” in the commissioning of war crimes.
Ms Mahomed, who’s spearheading the fundraising for the investigation, explained her reasons for pursuing legal action against Starmer.
“I firmly believe in the necessity of holding those responsible for international crimes to account. It is my hope that the International Criminal Court will open an investigation into Israeli war crimes, and those that have sought to enable them through words and actions, such as Keir Starmer MP, be investigated for their complicity.”
Additionally, Ms Mahomed posted on X: “We’ve sent a letter to Keir Starmer – our NOTICE OF REFERRAL TO PROSECUTE for complicity in Gaza’s war crimes. We can’t stay silent when elected leaders may be openly endorsing genocide.”
On Wednesday, 18th October, Keir Starmer said in an interview with LBC’s Nick Ferrari, “Israel does have that right” to cut off water supplies to Gaza. The statement later went viral, sparking a huge backlash.
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When Ferrari asked: “A siege is appropriate? Cutting off power? Cutting off water? Sir Keir? Starmer replied: “I think that Israel does have that right. It is an ongoing situation. Erm, obviously, everything should be done within international law but I don’t want to step away from the sort of core principles that Israel has a right to defend herself.”
Following the angry online reaction to the comments, the Labour leader eventually back-peddled from the controversial stance. However, a clarification wasn’t issued until nine days after the initial interview on LBC.
“I know that that LBC clip has been widely shared and caused real concern and distress in some Muslim communities. So let me be clear about what I was saying. I was saying Israel had the right to self-defence, what I was not saying, is that Israel had a right to cut
off water, food, fuel or medicines.”
Earlier this month, Conservative Party MP Crispin Blunt, who is also the co-director of the International Center of Justice for Palestinians, issued a stark warning to government ministers, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, that their comments regarding Israel’s military operation against Gaza could place them in “legal peril.”
On October 14th, the ICJP submitted a written notice to the Prime Minister of informing him of the ICJP’s intention to prosecute UK government officials for complicity in Israeli war crimes.
So far over 5,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombing, of which over 2,000 of which are children, according to Palestinian health officials. Over 15,000 people have also been injured in Israeli attacks.
